Make Working From Home Work for You

As the UK settles in to a nation-wide lockdown, now is a good time to take stock of your situation. The first fortnight is almost past, and we all have a better idea of what current events mean to us, and how we will personally get through.

One thing comes across, we are all determined to return to normal life as soon as possible. But in the meantime, we still have some changes to adjust to.

Use Working From Home to succeed, not just ‘get by’

You might be one of the lucky ones who can work from home. But, be honest – are you working from home, or *ahem* “working from home”?

Many of us might be drawn by the inverted commas version, but as the UK lockdown bites harder, and indeterminate timescales hover over the news headlines, is it time you considered a formal, business-appropriate solution? One that might contribute to your company’s long term success?

You might be able to ‘get by’ accessing emails and using your mobile, but for how long? If you are a business-owner, is it appropriate to ask that of staff? What options do you have? Is furloughing your loyal workforce your only other option? Is it safe to ask employees to use their own phones and display their own phone numbers? Is it a GDPR breach?

Here is our list of what you need to make Working From Home actually work, and what you need to know:

A Hosted VoIP telephone service

As this is internet-based, it is not tied to a location, physical phone line, or any equipment. A Hosted VoIP system will work anywhere you have a good, stable internet connection. It doesn’t matter where you are using it from: your ordinary office, your home, your garden. With an appropriate software app you can even take it with you when you go for a walk or run.

Some kind of phone device

This could be a standard work deskphone, a DECT phone similar to a walkabout home phone, or a softphone app running on a PC or smartphone.

Each of these has advantages and disadvantages. You need to give some thought as to the demands your work will place on you, and how you wish to integrate you work into your home life.

If you handle a lot of phone calls, and find yourself transferring calls to colleagues a lot of the time, you may find a deskphone works for you. The advantages are you can add on expansion modules, making transferring to colleagues easier in a large company. You can also use a headset if you like, rather than lifting and replacing the receiver with every call.

A DECT phone is probably similar to your standard home phone, where you have a base station, and a portable handset. As long as the handset is in range, you can make and receive calls. The advantages of one of these it is likely to be very similar to the phone you use at home, and you have the freedom to move away from your desk.

A softphone is another option. There are two options people generally choose – a desktop PC version, or a smartphone version. Both have good points. A desktop PC softphone is good for those who are working from a standard desk work set up. Your PC is in front of you, you use it all day, and the softphone allows you to use it as a phone as well. A smartphone softphone downloads onto your mobile phone, and essentially uses it as a way of reaching the internet(remember the point above regarding VoIP requiring an internet connection).

An Internet connection

As mentioned, a VoIP service requires a stable internet connection in order to work.

And that’s it. Barring a suitable desk or work surface, a chair and some peace and quiet, that’s all that is required to mirror your work phone set up at home.

You don’t need to worry about how calls route to you, or how to do transfers, your phone system can literally be picked up from one location, and placed somewhere else. If you have any questions, experience any problems, or want any advice, you have an experienced VoIP Provider you can turn to for help.

If you’re VoIP Provider isn’t there for you at times like this, maybe its time you considered a change?

SureVoIP is working as usual, we’re here and happy to help. Feel free to contact us to discuss any of the above